WHAT’S NEW AT CVO.ORG
continued from the front page
College Resources: This page has
moved and is now located under the
“veterinary professionals” tab from the
main menu. Resources include everything
from standards, College newsletters and
annual reports to podcasts, financial
summaries and College videos. Visit cvo.
org/Resources for further information.
Quality Practice Tools: There are
multiple items of interest in the Quality
Practice area of the website. Learn more
about the CPD Activity Log, access helpful
learning modules, review the videos on
how to maintain a drug log and conduct
a drug audit. As well, information is
available on the Peer Review of Medical
Records program, including tools for a
self-assessment.
Practice Advisory Service & FAQs: The
College’s Practice Advisors are happy to
assist you with any questions you may
have about the College’s regulations,
policy and expectations. Please refer to
frequently asked questions which may
cover the areas you have questions.
The College will continue to make
improvements to the website to assist
you with finding helpful information.
Please contact [email protected]
if you have any questions.
ACTION TO ADDRESS FACILITIES
FAILING TO MEET STANDARDS
In an effort to support public health
related to controlled substances, the
College is taking action to address
deficiencies in veterinary facilities. A
veterinary facility which is not performing
a weekly controlled drug audit and has
not corrected this situation within 30
days will be referred by the Registrar to
the Accreditation Committee.
The College’s inspections in 2019 indicate
only 15 percent of veterinary facilities are
meeting all of the Minimum Standards for
Veterinary Facilities in Ontario at the time
of inspection.
Although certain elements of the current
standards are out of date, it is apparent
facility directors/owners need to be more
attentive to their clinics’ ability to meet
the standards on an ongoing basis.
One area, of significant risk to the public,
concerns the non-compliance with
the standards which support proper
management of controlled drugs.
The law is clear that veterinarians,
in particular the facility director, are
responsible for the access to and the
use of any controlled substances in an
accredited facility. Further, veterinarians
are responsible for the appropriate
prescribing and dispensing of drugs,
maintaining related logs, completion of
audits, and the secure management of
controlled substances in an accredited
facility.
Veterinarians have an important role
in public protection and public health
related to controlled substances. Facility
directors will now receive a letter from
the Accreditation Committee Chair
prior to inspection. The Accreditation
Committee may impose conditions
and limitations on a certificate of
accreditation with deficiencies, such as
a shorter renewal term and possibly
unannounced inspections at the
veterinarian’s cost.
College of Veterinarians of Ontario
2106 Gordon Street, Guelph, ON N1L 1G6
Phone: (519) 824-5600 | Toll-free: 1-800-424-2856
Fax: (519) 824-6497 | Toll-free fax: 1-888-662-9479
[email protected]
Editor:
Jan Robinson
Assistant to the Editor:
Kim Huson
Publication mail
agreement number:
40583010
AVAILABLE ONLINE
Homewood Health
Program
Confidential Ontario Toll-Free
Line: 1-866-750-3207
The College has partnered with
Homewood Health to provide
a free, confidential service to
support the health, well-being
and resilience of veterinarians.
Veterinarians who need
support are encouraged to
contact Homewood Health for
assistance. For any questions
about this service, please
contact Homewood directly or
contact the College.
Learning Modules
available for you
Kick your learning into high gear
with communications learning
modules! Training resources
may be used by veterinarians
and their team members to
improve communication skills.
Learning modules are found on
the College website at
cvo.org/Learning-Modules.
Have you got the decal?
Let clients know your veterinary
facility meets provincial
standards and supports safe,
quality animal care with the
Facility Accreditation Emblem.
The emblem is available for use
on facility websites and on social
media sites. Get the Facility
Accreditation Emblem at:
http://www.cvo.org/getemblem
College Connection is the official publication
of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario,
informing members on regulatory issues,
with the expectation that members
will govern themselves accordingly.
College Connection is charged with the
responsibility of providing comprehensive,
accurate and defensible information.
cvo.org